BROOME

DAY 60 – BROOME                                                   Wednesday, 31^st August

Up and about this morning, with all those mundane jobs to be done – washing, and then cleaning the van and surrounds so that my mother-in-law, who arrives today, will not notice how grubby her precious van is getting.  All washing machines in use at 7am – can you imagine a queue for the washing machine at 7am!!

Bridgie and I finally had our Mother/Daughter time and she wasted no time in indicating that she wanted to visit Target, Woolworths and the op shop!!  Finally found her a dress that she was happy with, after she tried on four different ones.  She wore the dress out of the shop!  It is so funny.  It does not take much to make them happy.  Just some one-on-one time with Mum is so precious.  Just holding her hand and walking along the street is so special.  She is growing up so much and so quickly.  Of course, she is so much older than, say Beth at the same age.  Knowing all the words to the latest songs, and knowing just how she wants her hair and which outfit she wants to wear.  She certainly keeps me on my toes, that one, with her cheeky grin and knowing smile.  I am sure she has been on this earth before.

Back to the van for more cleaning and then a quick sojourn to the beach to farewell the Patterson and Dearness families as they are leaving tomorrow.  We will miss the busy nights on the beach with loads of screaming children – it has been fun – just like a real beach holiday.

The kids could hardly contain their excitement at Mama and Papa arriving tonight.  During the day, Bridgie asked “how many seconds until they arrive?”  So I sent them all off while I cooked the dinner and set out some candlelight and nice music for the event!  The kids were so excited by the time they arrived home.  Each of them could not get close enough to Mama, sitting beside her and on top of her!  Given Mama and Papa were still on Melbourne time – we let them get an early night before the onslaught tomorrow.